Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies are looking for a truck involved in a hit and run over the weekend and they need your help. A female driver from Grand Ledge says a truck slammed into the back of her car on M-20 in Mecosta late Saturday night, then left the scene. The driver was able to follow the truck who was fleeing the scene into the village of Mecosta but were unable to get a plate from the truck. She and one of her passengers had minor injuries. Deputies say they are looking for a newer white Chevrolet Silverado, 2500 or 1500 possibly with a lift.

Five people were taken to the hospital this morning after a Morley woman lost control of her vehicle and went through the median of the ramp flipping and hitting another vehicle driven by a man from Mecosta who then drove off the road hitting a ditch. Mecosta County Sheriff Deputies say Morley resident Kristy Crusan and her passengers, Aaron Crusanand Lexi Crusan were taken to Mecosta County Medical Center for their injuries while Mecosta resident Terry Reeves and passenger Beatrice Reeves were taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

District Health Department #10 is offering free radon test kits through the month of January for National Radon Action Month. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non smokers, it is a gas that you cannot see smell or taste. Radon is a natural gas found in almost all types of soils it can leak into your house through cracks or holes in the foundation. You can get your kit at the Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Osceola, Newaygo, Oceana, or Wexford County Health Department.

Mecosta & Osceola jobless rates down Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates fell in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in August. According to the Michigan department of energy, labor & economic growth, total employment declined seasonally over the month in the majority of regions, while labor force levels dropped in nearly all areas. Mecosta County’s jobless rate is at 12.9 % while Osceola County’s is at 14.1%.

Funding was on the minds of Mecosta-Osceola Great Start Collaborative officials and 40 other parents and teachers who rallied at the state capital Wednesday all in the name of early childhood education. GSC coordinator Louann Gregory says they chatted and talked with lawmakers to let them know there needs to be more funding for early childhood programs. Today, lawmakers are conducting a revenue estimating conference.

A Baldwin man who is accused of the 1980 murder of Big Rapids resident Stella Lintemuth waived his arraignment in Mecosta County Circuit Court Monday. County Prosecutor Peter Jaklevic says 63-year-old Scott Elwood Graham has been charged with open murder, which carries a life sentence, if convicted. Graham will now have a pre-trial/settlement conference June 14.

The Mecosta County Parks Commission has approved an extension of the park season for Merrill, School Section Lake and Paris parks until the end of October. The extended season will cost seasonal campers an additional $200. Parks Superintendent Gary Brown says this is filling a concern campers had last year. The parks commission is hoping to fill 75 extended season sites in all three parks with this approval.

Since Mecosta County Community Corrections started its weekend community service program over a year ago, it has grown immensely with the purchase of vans for transportation and a part-time work crew supervisor. Angie Brandon, director of community corrections, says the program for non-violent offenders benefits the county by reducing crowding in the county jail and the county not paying to keep an offender in jail.

Legislation has been introduced in the state House that is patterned after Arizona’s controversial new immigration law allowing police to ask for proof of citizenship or lawful residency in the U.S. The measure, sponsored by republican Kim Meltzer, gives police the authority to arrest illegal immigrants if they are stopped for another offense. Mecosta County Sheriff Jon Sonntag says he can’t see his officers taking advantage of citizens if this law was enacted in Michigan. Oakland County Sheriff and GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Bouchard is pushing immigration reform in Michigan.